EMMA STREN

Emma Stern’s work fuses traditional oil painting techniques with contemporary digital practices. With a formal background in classical figure painting, Stern skilfully employs 3D software to create striking virtual female avatars, transforming her subjects into powerful explorations of identity, representation, and the complexities of the female experience in digital culture. Her art critiques and reflects on the prevalent portrayals of women in gaming and 3D communities, highlighting the complex interplay between empowerment and objectification. Often depicted as pirates on jet skis or cowgirls on desolate highways, her avatars encapsulate a unique blend of humour and vulnerability, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of femininity and agency. By integrating classical techniques with contemporary digital mediums, Emma Stern offers a thought-provoking glimpse into the future of portraiture, compelling viewers to confront the evolving dynamics of identity in the 21st century.